Fences Movie Review

Fences Movie Review

Are you an avid movie buff? Do you try to catch the ones nominated for awards? If you are, then chances are you’re familiar with the movie, Fences, staring Viola Davis and Denzel Washington. “Some people build fences to keep people out – And other people build fences to keep people in.”

Set in 1950s Pittsburgh, the film adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play takes a passionate look at former baseball player Troy Maxson as he fights to provide for those he loves in a world that threatens to push him down.

I personally enjoy both Denzel Washington and Viola Davis as actors in their field. They both are wonderful at their craft, whether light hearted or a deep subject matter, such as the movie, Fences, is about. We follow the story of Troy Maxson, a former Negro-league baseball player, struggling with the world around him, especially as it impacts his family.

Since it is set in the 1950s, race relations were gearing up towards a breaking point. No matter if you personally experienced this time period in your life or heard about it later, it’s easy to see the passion, the disappointment, and the hope for the future playing out on the screen. You want to cheer on the main characters, hope for a different set of circumstances, and eventually, even find yourself relating to one of the people on the screen whether you’re a mother, a father, a child, or someone who tries to make a difference and can’t seem to get a leg up.

On a personal note, I will caution readers about the language in this movie. While it’s rated PG-13, I had a hard time hearing the N-word repeated so many times. I understand that’s how it was in the time period, but I didn’t grow up using it and still won’t use it to this day. It was definitely jarring to keep hearing it.

I won’t say not to let your older children watch it; that’s up to every parent of course. And there are some dramatic & intense movies that can show a time period or era better than a book can to a child. You should see it first without them, and then make that decision.

Overall, I’d say this is a powerful and passionate movie to watch. It’s a window into another time gone by, and the acting was superb. No wonder it was nominated for several big film awards recently!

For more information, visit the official Fences Movie website. You can also connect on Twitter and Facebook for the latest announcements.